Lindback Award for Distinguished Public Teachers – Mar 13

Posted by School District of Philadelphia on January 14, 2020

Lindback Award Applications Now Open to Teachers, Principals Throughout the School District

The School District of Philadelphia is once again partnering with The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation to honor exemplary Philadelphia public school teachers and principals, continuing an annual tradition that has awarded over $3 million in total grants to deserving educators throughout the city.

The Foundation will honor 60 outstanding teachers with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Public Teachers. The Foundation will also grant seven Lindback Awards for Distinguished Principal Leadership.

The Distinguished Principal Leadership Award is accompanied by a $20,000 stipend for the school community, while the Distinguished Public Teacher Award includes a $3,500 stipend.

“The School District has so many exceptional leaders and teachers who are making positive impacts on students’ lives both inside and outside the classroom,” said Dr. William R. Hite, superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. “I am grateful to the Lindback Foundation for continuing to make such a significant investment in our dedicated principals and teachers.”

Since 2007 the Lindback Foundation has awarded more than 700 Distinguished Public Teacher Awards and more than 60 Distinguished Principal Awards, and has granted over $3.3 million in awards during that time.

“The Lindback Foundation is honored to recognize the committed and extraordinary teachers and principals in the Philadelphia public schools with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Service,” said David Loder, Lindback Foundation Trustee. “There is no more important mission than to educate and provide positive role models to our students and future leaders. These award winners serve as exemplary educators every day and we applaud their many accomplishments, dedication and commitment to students and their communities.”

“This award is special to us because it starts with nominations by our staff, so it is reassurance to us that we are leading with passion, integrity and common sense, and that our staff values and respects our leadership,” said 2019 Lindback Principal Award winner Kiana Thompson of Academy at Palumbo. “This honor is not ours alone. We share it with our school teams, from the teachers, secretaries and paraprofessionals, to the food service staff, the custodial staff and the school police, and parents and Assistant Superintendents. Not one of us can do this alone. It takes a strong, devoted team to create a successful school.”

Nominations for the principal award are due by 12 p.m. Friday, February 14. Applications for the teacher award are due by 12 p.m. Friday, March 13. In addition to the application information, please note that there are two Technical Assistance Drop In/Informational Sessions scheduled on January 8th and 22nd, 2020, Room 1069, 3:30-4:30 pm.

More information about the awards and links to application materials can be found online at http://philasd.org/lindback.

“I was honored to receive the Lindback Award this past spring,” said Gail Koskela, teacher of Large Animal Science at W.B. Saul High School. “At Saul, we work hard every day to bring hands-on learning experiences to our students. I look forward to continuing to teach and provide meaningful opportunities for students, especially now that we have a new state-of-the-art Livestock Center. This award will continue to inspire me as we help grow the next generation of scientists, veterinarians, farmers and horticulturalists, right here in the city.”

Principal and teacher award ceremonies will be held in 2020 in April and May, respectively.

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN R. AND MARY F. LINDBACK FOUNDATION

The Foundation was initially established by a testamentary gift in trust under the will of Christian R. Lindback. The individual and corporate trustees were given broad discretion to support charitable purposes within the territorial United States. Educational goals and the support of distressed individuals in the City of Philadelphia through existing charitable organizations were given emphasis. The trustees have focused discretionary grant attention on the Greater Philadelphia area including South Jersey.

Since 1961, the Foundation has been recognizing outstanding faculty members at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Currently 52 institutions of higher learning are participating in the program. Peruse the curriculum vitae of Lindback Award recipients and you will note that the award is mentioned proudly and prominently, attesting to the universal prestige associated with the honor.